Vaping has come a long way in just a decade. From its humble origins in China, vaping has spread across the world, and this sudden popularity has also brought with it a lot of criticism from those on the opposing side.
Governments around the world are concerned about the safety of vaping, as it relates to smoking, despite the overwhelming evidence that vaping is less harmful to users’ health than smoking. This is not only troubling for the vaping community , but also for travelers. Laws governing e-cigarettes vary from country to country, and vapers planning to travel should have a basic understanding of these laws so they don’t accidentally break the law and ruin their vacation.
And in the article below, The Vape Club will briefly introduce to you the e-cigarette laws in the world.
In America
Although vaping is completely legal in the US, the FDA has a rather negative attitude towards e-cigarettes. Consistently going against the advice of medical experts, the agency still equates e-cigarettes with being as harmful to the human body as regular cigarettes, so tourists need to pay attention to a few things. Each state has its own set of laws and ways of managing vapes . Most bans focus on prohibiting the use of vapes in public places and enclosed spaces such as restaurants, bars, etc. Check the laws of the place you are going to before booking your ticket.
In Norway
Norway has some strange vaping laws, where vaping is technically legal, but nicotine products are not sold openly, as local laws are designed to help cut down on smoking in the country. To make matters worse, Norwegians can buy vapes from overseas if they can prove they’ve helped them quit smoking. Long-term vacationers in Norway admit that bringing vapes into the country can be difficult, as they require a doctor’s note. However, those who are just visiting can bring their products through customs without fear of them being confiscated.
In Thailand
Although vaping is illegal in Thailand, the e-cigarette market is still very active. The sale, importation, and manufacturing of vaping devices is prohibited in Thailand, but if you travel with an e-cigarette, the chances of being caught importing illegal goods are very low. The ban on e-cigarettes is not very strict, so if you travel with your vape, the worst that can happen if you attract the attention of the police is a reprimand and confiscation of your device.
In Australia
Australia is a popular tourist destination, and vapers are happy that there are almost no laws regarding vaping. However, there is a downside. It is legal to sell and manufacture vapes in Australia, but they cannot sell nicotine-containing vape products. This can be a big problem for travel vapers who use vapes to quit smoking, but you can absolutely bring your own nicotine-containing e-liquids from home, which is allowed. As long as you have all the necessary tools when traveling, you can vape comfortably without worrying about anything.
In Germany
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, Germany has a unique culture and cuisine. It is also a favorite destination for vapers because there are absolutely no strict laws against vaping. In fact, the laws are so lax that children under 18 can vape.
In South Africa
At the moment, tourists to South Africa should have no problem bringing and using vapes here. However, that could change. Health authorities in South Africa have declared war on e-cigarettes and are deliberately classifying them as tobacco. If that happens, future vaping tourists to South Africa could face some problems.
Some countries ban e-cigarettes outright, although some are not so strict that they can’t be circumvented. Let’s look at the places where vaping is banned outright.
In Central and South America
Vaping is completely banned in Mexico, Uruguay and Argentina, all products, including e-liquids, are banned from sale. But when going through customs, some tourists find it strange that they can bring their own devices without any problems, some are confiscated on the spot. Vaping has been banned in Brazil since 2014 and each product confiscated by the police, the confiscated person must pay a fine of about 10 reals.
In the Middle East
Brunei's vaping ban is particularly harsh, with anyone vaping in a non-smoking area facing a $500 fine, and selling or importing e-cigarettes incurring a $10,000 fine. Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan ban vaping devices, while Oman still allows the use of e-cigarettes, just bans their sale.
In the Far East
Although e-cigarettes were banned by the Cambodian government in 2014, the underground e-cigarette market is still thriving and most users have no problem bringing their own into the country. E-cigarettes are banned in Indonesia, but the government does not object to tourists taking their own to use. Vapers can be fined $5,000 for importing, using and selling vaping devices in Singapore. In Taiwan, selling, manufacturing and importing vaping devices is illegal and can result in jail time or heavy fines.
